They tell me that Radio Granada OM [1080 kHz / Ed] has returned to the airwaves after many weeks off. It is the second time that we have been scared of being out of service for a long time and that, in these times, makes us fear the worst.
Jorge Trinado to iberiaDX iog (2024-06-25)
Today on Tuesday, 25 June I heard Polish Radio on LW 225 kHz with headlines in English at about 0706, 0806 and 0906 UTC.
News in German was at 0708, 0808 and 0908 UTC.
This is a Summer-only programme.
SIO 343 in Vienna
RX:Tecsun S 2000/TK
BDXC list via Mike Terry to Longwaveradiolistening iog (2024-06-25)
Per Radio Today:
Ofcom has published a statement for their Analogue Radio Technical Code consultation, and includes permission for AM stations to offer better quality audio.
Most points are relatively minor, such as removing the requirement for a directional coupler on the back of an FM transmitter, to stating that they will no longer attend commissioning of transmitters unless needed.
There is also a requirement for AM and FM licensees to ensure their service is resilient, mirroring the wording introduced into the DAB codes in 2023, moving the focus towards end to end uptime of the entire service, instead of looking at the reliability of individual components such as transmitters or power supplies.
But the biggest change in the document is that Ofcom is now permitting wider audio bandwidth.
Historically AM has been associated with poor “telephone quality” audio, due to the historic audio bandwidth limits of around 6khz.
This dates from the heyday of AM radio in the 1970s, where there was a compromise between audio bandwidth and number of stations, and at night most countries suffered considerable night-time interference.
As the AM band is now fairly vacant across much of Europe, and as audio processors and filtering has considerably improved with the advent of Digital Signal Processing, for a number of years countries such as Spain, much of Asia, Australia and others have run 9khz audio bandwidth on AM, roughly equivalent to mass-produced cassette tapes. Ofcom is now going to permit existing AM licensees, on a case-by-case basis, to increase their audio bandwidth.
It is very unlikely this will lead to a wave of demand for AM broadcasting, but it may give the remaining AM broadcasters a “stay of execution” that is warmly welcomed, giving an audio quality uplift that will, on the majority of radio receivers, give a tangible improvement to quality.
These changes have been made possible in part due to a campaign for over four years by Maxxwave (on behalf of the majority of remaining AM broadcasters) with DCMS and Ofcom to follow the example of other countries who have already permitted expanded audio bandwidth a number of years ago.
Radio Seerah Leicester 1575 and Radio Panj Coventry 1521 have already put their requests in, and others are expected to follow.
https://radiotoday.co.uk/2024/06/ofcom-to-allow-wider-audio-bandwidth-on-am/
Mike Terry to nordx iog (2024-06-25)
Old sunspot AR3664, which caused the May 10th superstorm, has returned. This is its 3rd trip across the solar disk. Per tradition, it has been re-numbered 3 times: Originally AR3664, then AR3697, now AR3723. X-flares are possible as it once again turns to face Earth.
https://spaceweather.com
Mike Terry to WOR iog (2024-06-25)
According to a source, USAGM/VOA planning to close Sao Tome, and Marianas relay sites.
There’s been no formal announcement of this as yet by the agency.
I am seeking confirmation and will update when I have more on this. Potential closure of these sites is predictable given the budget crunch USAGM/VOA face and the need to find funds to support relocation of the agency and VOA. It’s also quite possible that the agency may dangle this in front of Congress as part of an overall appeal for more financial support.
Dan Robinson to WOR iog (2024-06-25)
Regarding 1575 kHz…
As Max posted before a message from our IberiaDX e-Forum, SER Radio Córdoba has returned to its 1575 frequency. Why? Who knows!! They had a severe Txer fault which led to switched it off but it seems they solved years ahead!
Local SER stations will air local sports and events disconnected from National slots. This info can be checked on our DXing Spanish MW instalments published in our bulletin in 2022/2023.
Regarding 1080 kHz. Ser Radio Mallorca is closed. If Steve hears RNE programs on 1080 kHz via remote SDR in Elche, would be because a poor front end of the SDR and/or faulty MW transmitters close-by!
Jorge Garzón to mwcircle iog (2024-06-24)
Angarsk
https://vk.com/public158109176?w=wall-158109176_3662
В первых числах июня, на Радиоцентре #7 (Ангарск, Россия), производился демонтаж средневолновых антенн Малая и Большая Заря.
Demolishing the big and small Zarya directional MW antennas began.
52.436214604207315, 103.70082700224512
52.416195292154086, 103.68477666429317
Remember when last year the cage was removed from this mast?
52.436249826351386, 103.68593040870287
The mast is still standing as of May 2024 and the ARRT mounting parts are gone that were laying on the ground on the 05/2023 pictures.
Marco (2024-06-24)
Translated from Spanish:
After several weeks of inactivity, RADIO SELVA (AM 1560 KHz), an Amplitude Modulated station with studios in the town of Ituzaingó, in the western area of Greater Buenos Aires, can be heard again on the ether with its usual programming. Let us remember that this station had begun its transmissions on the frequency of 1710 KHz. However, in April 2023 it began transmitting at 1560 KHz, due to the absence of active AMBA stations in that part of the dial, and possibly because many radio receivers do not have the AM “Expanded Band”, which which made it impossible to listen to this station. RADIO SELVA broadcasts 24 hours a day and is characterized by broadcasting spaces with typical music from the Province of Misiones and the Triple Border area (chamamé and sertaneja music from southern Brazil). Its directors are Messrs. Juan Carlos Ruffo & Gabriela Heine, and their new contact lines are now: Telephone: (11) 4692-0018 and 6088-8991; Cell: 11-3319-0531; and new Website: www.radioselva.com.ar. They do not advertise E-mail. Apparently, they have moved their transmitting antenna to the same address where their studios operate, that is, on 2157 General Villegas Street, in the town and district of Ituzaingó, Province of Buenos Aires (CG: 34°40’36.5″S, 58 °40’16.4″W), place where a 48 meter high antenna is located.
Argentina en AM y FM FB group via Svenn Martinsen to DXing.info FB group (2024-06-22)
Summer solstice bandscan 2024.
Last night was a washout due to rain. Oh, well… at least the vegetation was happy.
I slipped outside around 2230Z in calm weather with drizzly showers. The LW band yielded five signals: Allouis, RUV 1/2, BBC 4, Poland (I presume) and some European music on 252 kHz. I couldn’t catch anything to ID by before I had to retreat indoors, away from the next shower.
The MW band was a kind of surprise. I wasn’t expecting anything but the Brits. They were there, of course, with Talk Sport (1053/1089 kHz) at the top, but I did hear Spanish stations on 648 and 747 kHz, plus weak voices on several other frequencies, though none were strong enough to ID.
Reynir Heidberg Stefansson (2024-06-23)
Asfalttelegrafen = Asphalt Telegraph did a test until 03,00 Swedish local time = 01,00 UTC June 23rd.
On 1494 kHz AM!
Asfalttelefrafen to nordx iog (2024-06-23)